On Wednesday, May 14, the National Football League (NFL) released the 2025 regular season schedule for all 32 franchises. For some teams, the road to the postseason looks more manageable, offering a clearer path to success. For others, the schedule poses significant challenges that could hinder their playoff aspirations.

Let’s take a closer look at the teams with the easiest schedules in 2025, as well as those facing the toughest matchups in the upcoming season.

Teams with the Easiest Schedules in the 2025 Regular Season

Carolina Panthers

Starting with three of the first four games on the road isn’t ideal—especially against potentially improved teams like the Jaguars, Cardinals, and Patriots. However, once past that opening stretch, the Panthers’ schedule appears more favorable.

Early home games against the Falcons, Dolphins, and Cowboys should be competitive and serve as solid tests for this ascending team. Midseason matchups with the Bills and Packers will raise the level of competition, but the overall build-up allows for growth and adjustment.

Importantly, Carolina only plays one divisional game in the first nine weeks. There’s just one West Coast trip (Week 12 at San Francisco), and they close with three of their final five games at home, plus a Week 14 bye.

If the Panthers can survive the early road tests, this schedule gives them a legitimate chance to make noise this season.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins open on the road against a Colts team with quarterback uncertainty, then host the Patriots in South Florida heat and play the Bills in Buffalo early enough to avoid cold weather.

Three of the next five games are away, but it’s a manageable stretch. By the time their Week 12 bye arrives—after matchups against the Ravens, Bills, and a game in Madrid vs. the Commanders—we’ll have a clear sense of their playoff potential.

December brings potential cold-weather games against the Jets, Steelers, and Patriots. Still, every game outside of Spain is in the Eastern time zone, which is a solid tradeoff for a team still finding its identity.

Buffalo Bills

It might be difficult for the Bills to go undefeated at home again in their final season at Highmark Stadium, but they have a strong chance to improve their 5–4 road record from last year.

Their opener against the Ravens will be intense, but with a full offseason to prepare, they’ll be ready. Leading up to the Week 7 bye, three straight home games could provide momentum.

After the bye, the Bills play six road games but only cross one time zone all season (Week 12 vs. the Texans). Home games against top-tier opponents like the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Bengals, and Eagles are spread out, offering breathing room.

If they stay healthy, the Bills are poised for another strong campaign.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints’ offseason hasn’t been smooth, but there’s reason for optimism depending on the quarterback situation. September will be tough, with road trips to Seattle and Buffalo, but none of their early opponents look unbeatable.

Despite facing good pass rushes, there isn’t an elite defense on their entire schedule. They face four pairs of back-to-back road games but have a home game or bye preceding three of those pairs.

With a Week 11 bye and no primetime games, the schedule has a rhythmic flow that could favor consistency—something coaches crave.

New England Patriots

New head coach Mike Vrabel knows improvement at home is a must after last season’s 2–6 Foxborough record. Fortunately, three of the first four games are at home, with matchups against the Raiders, Steelers, and Panthers—all winnable.

A tough road stretch follows, including a primetime game in Buffalo. But the Patriots then get winnable games against the Saints and Titans, potentially against rookie quarterbacks.

Despite a rough December slate featuring the Bills and Ravens, New England has manageable home games and a Week 14 bye. With three home games in September and a late-season reset, Vrabel’s first year could be promising.

Jacksonville Jaguars

There’s excitement in Duval County, with a new head coach, GM, and star rookie Travis Hunter. The Jaguars open against the Panthers and have a solid five-game buildup, including a Monday night clash with the Chiefs.

They’ll travel to London to face the Rams and have a few tough West Coast games, including a December visit to Denver. Still, they have only one division game before Week 10, giving them time to settle in.

The final stretch is soft, with five of the last six games coming against the Titans, Colts, and Jets. This could be a very favorable setup for Jacksonville.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers’ 2024 season was rough, but assuming better health and improved depth, a rebound is likely. Division games will be tough, and there are tricky road matchups against the Bucs and Texans.

The 49ers open on the road at Seattle and New Orleans—two winnable contests. A midseason stretch with four road games in five weeks could be testing, but their schedule wraps up nicely.

They’ll face the Panthers and Browns late, get a Week 14 bye, and play three of their final four games at home. They may even face up to four rookie QBs along the way, plus Michael Penix Jr. in Week 7.

Teams with the Toughest Schedules in the 2025 Regular Season

Kansas City Chiefs

To reclaim their throne, the Chiefs will have to navigate a brutal schedule. They’ll face four of the top five scoring offenses from last year and five games against the top three defenses.

Their opener is a clash with the Chargers in São Paulo, followed by a rematch with the Eagles—just months after Philly dominated them in the Super Bowl.

Tough games are scattered but rarely spaced out comfortably. Before their Week 10 bye, they’ll host the Commanders on Monday night and then travel to Buffalo on a short week.

The road slate is manageable outside of Buffalo and Denver, but Arrowhead hosts several playoff-level teams, including to close the season. This schedule will test even the best of Andy Reid’s squads.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ international double-dip (games in Ireland and England) creates a unique challenge. While technically reducing their U.S. road trips, it can throw off team rhythm.

They open with back-to-back primetime games, followed by matchups with the Bengals, Steelers, Browns, and an early Week 6 bye. The post-bye stretch includes the Eagles, Chargers (Thursday night), Ravens, and more.

They’ll close the season with four road games in five weeks and a Thursday night matchup on Christmas vs. Detroit. That’s a tall task for QB J.J. McCarthy.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philly plays 11 games against 2024 playoff teams, including potential seven primetime games. A mini-bye after Week 1 helps prep for the Chiefs in Week 2, but a gauntlet of Rams, Bucs, and Broncos follows.

December is just as intense, with two short weeks, a visit to Buffalo, and a season finale against the Commanders.

If the Eagles want to return to the Super Bowl, they’ll need to survive a much tougher schedule than last season.

Chicago Bears

The Ben Johnson era opens with a bang: a primetime opener vs. the Vikings, then a trip to Detroit. After two winnable games, the Bears face a Week 5 bye—meaning 13 straight games to close the season.

They’ll face a brutal stretch midseason: Ravens, Bengals, Vikings, Eagles, Packers, and 49ers all await. The travel, primetime pressure, and road challenges (1–7 away last year) make this a tall order for a team with promise.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ schedule is front-loaded with division games, then a daunting stretch that includes the Packers, Lions, and a London game vs. the Vikings.

Post-bye, the schedule softens slightly, but midseason road games at New England and the Jets are no easy task. Their unsettled quarterback situation only adds to the uncertainty.

New York Giants

The Giants start with two road games, then host the Chiefs and Chargers. A brutal nine-game stretch with six road trips follows before a Week 14 bye.

They’ll rely on a shaky QB setup with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart all in the mix. If things unravel early, it could be a long season.

Detroit Lions

Coming off a playoff disappointment and replacing both coordinators, the Lions now face 11 games against 2024 playoff teams.

They open against Green Bay and face a daunting pre-bye slate: Ravens, Bengals, Chiefs, Bucs, and more. Post-bye doesn’t ease up either, with primetime games against the Eagles, Cowboys, and Vikings—plus the Rams and Steelers.

Detroit can go undefeated at home, but their road slate is one of the toughest in the league.

Whether facing smooth paths or uphill battles, all NFL teams will have to earn their way through the 2025 season. Some franchises appear to have a clear shot at the postseason, while others may find themselves clawing just to stay afloat.

One thing is certain: the 2025 NFL regular season will be one to watch.